History shows a clear pattern for the Boise School District: Deputy superintendents become superintendents.

It may happen again after a Wednesday, Jan. 21, special board meeting.

Boise trustees unanimously voted to interview only deputy superintendent Wendy Johnson for the district’s top administrative role.

Following the Jan. 29 interview, trustees will decide if they want Johnson to succeed current superintendent Lisa Roberts, who announced her retirement at a regular board meeting one week earlier.

Johnson is currently the deputy superintendent of teaching and learning in the state’s second-largest district. She brings more than a decade of superintendent experience, having served as the Kuna School District’s superintendent for 12 years.

Among less than 10 administrators and staff (not counting trustees) at Wednesday’s meeting was Johnson’s counterpart, deputy superintendent Nick Smith. Trustees offered interviews to both deputies, but Smith declined. Smith said his responsibilities as a father and desire to spend time with his family made the superintendency something he’s not ready to pursue.

“We planned to have this option,” said trustee Nancy Gregory, a 24-year veteran of the district’s board of trustees, of the district’s culture of grooming superintendents within the district.

Gregory voiced a strong opposition to the prospect of an external search.

A national search would be lengthy, expensive and the district wouldn’t be able to pay candidates the same amount as districts in other states, said board president Dave Wagers. That would make a national search difficult.

“We could go down to the area director level and find people who are capable. But we recognize it’s a hot seat, and though they may be capable, it’s not where they want to sit,” said Gregory.

Trustees will interview Johnson in executive session at 4 p.m. in a Thursday, Jan. 29, special board meeting.